06.10.03
Investment contributes to development of accessible farm accommodation

A new tourism business on the Roseland Peninsula near Portscatho has addressed the need for wheelchair friendly quality holiday cottages. Pollaughan Farm Holidays received Objective One investment through South West Tourism's Rural Tourism Improvement Fund last November. The investment allowed Valerie and Tim Penny to convert two barns into two detached holiday cottages, one sleeping two and the other sleeping six guests, both with wheelchair access.

Now fully open, the cottages offer a peaceful and relaxing place to stay, with a special emphasis on gearing the holiday to individual visitors' requirements. Wheelchair users and able-bodied guests alike have already praised the imaginatively and thoughtfully equipped accommodation. Valerie and Tim hope to achieve a Four Star quality standard and an M2 level accessibility standard.

The Rural Access Fund, also administered by South West Tourism, has allowed the Pennys to develop a wildlife lake with access paths beside the cottages. This encourages guests to enjoy access to the farm and the area's wildlife.

Valerie, who runs the business with husband Tim and their four children, said: "Having worked with disabled children, it was always my vision to create holiday cottages that were imaginative, cheerful and yet a haven to relax and unwind. I really feel we have achieved that here, and we have had a tremendous response from our first visitors, many of whom have rebooked. We could not have funded this project without the grant and I would like to thank Annette Cole and her team for all the encouragement at each stage of the process.”

South West Tourism's Project Manager Annette Cole commented: "Quality has been one of the main components for this project and Valerie has worked extremely hard, undertaking a lot of market research to make sure she has the right product for the market she is targeting. Her attention to detail has been unfailing.”

Objective One Programme Director Carleen Kelemen said: "This project will help to secure the future viability of the Penny's farm far into the future, whilst providing tourist accommodation suitable for visitors with disabilities.
Objective One is committed to investing towards building better businesses in Cornwall and Scilly through a diverse range of projects. Helping farm businesses to utilise the commercial opportunities offered by our region's thriving tourism industry is just one way that the programme is working to help Cornish businesses grow and flourish.”

For more information please contact Hannah Collingbourne in the South West Tourism Press Office on 01392 353218 or email: pressoffice@swtourism.co.uk

Valerie Penny can be contacted directly on 01872 580150 or visit the website at www.pollaughan.co.uk

Editor's notes:

Pollaughan Farm Holidays received combined investment from Defra and Objective One totalling £55,000.

South West Tourism is a partnership of private enterprise and both local and central government. We work to encourage the promotion and development of tourism in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk

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